419 scam: ONLINE DRAW <online_draw54@msn.com> CONGRATULATIONS

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million pounds" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- ",000,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
1. They don't notify winners by email.
2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!

Fraud email example:

From: ONLINE DRAW <online_draw54@msn.com>
Reply-To: <ajpcm@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:49:10 +0000
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS

M F B ONLINE DRAW P O BOX 1010
LIVERPOOL, L70 1NL
UNITED KINGDOM
(Customer Services)
Ref: UK/9920X3/2011
Batch: 085/06/FSX20
BTL NOTIFICATION DESK

We happily announce to you the draw (#1070) of the M F B ONLINE DRAW, online Sweepstakes International program held on sunday 15th of January 2011.

Your e-mail address attached to ticket number: 139573490206 750 with Serial number 1395/09 drew the lucky numbers: 04 17 66 30 32 bonus number 09, which subsequently won you the ONLINE DRAW in the 1st category i.e. match 6.

You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of ?1,000, 000(One Million Pounds) in cash credited to file ZXT/1395700117/09.

This is from a total cash prize of ?10,000,000 shared amongst the (10) lucky winners in this category i.e. Match 6. All participants for the online version were selected randomly from World Wide Web sites through computer draw system and extracted from over 100,000 unions, individuals, associations, and corporate bodies that are listed online. This promotion takes place weekly.

Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our European booklet representative office in Europe and your paying bank will be from our Representative as indicated in your play coupon. In view of this, your ?1,000, 000(One Million Pounds) would be released to you by our Attorney (Jacob Trust & assocaite) in England upon clearance and clarification from our payment offices in Europe .

Do send us your full name and contact number and you will contacted by our attorney.

Our European agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release of your funds as soon as you contact him. For security reasons, you are advised to keep your winning information confidential till your claims is processed and your money remitted to you in whatever manner you deem fit to claim your prize.

Congratulations from me and members of staff of M F B ONLINE DRAW.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs. Joy Hensford.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam